What happens to a baseball team that loses six consecutive games, is shut out three times during the slide and only hits two home runs during the initial nine days of its season?

If you’re the Astros, you suddenly explode.

One of the worst-hitting teams in baseball entering Tuesday night was a nine-inning powerhouse at Safeco Field, blowing out the Mariners 16-9 in an American League West matchup.

The Astros (2-6) hit five home runs, collected 22 hits and won for the first time since a season-opening March 31 victory against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park.

Seven Astros recorded at least two hits, led by Jose Altuve’s 4-for-6 outing. The second baseman set a career-high with four RBIs, hitting a home run, double and two singles, and falling a triple short of a cycle. Chris Carter blasted two home runs.

Astros starting righthander Erik Bedard threw four innings of one-hit, scoreless ball. He was relieved by Paul Clemens, who earned the win in his major-league debut, but allowed five runs, six hits and three home runs in 4 innings.